| Recording Artist Double Standard Rocks for Rolling Thunder A Review . . . . . . . . . . By Rebecca Hanson After Rolling Thunder motorcyclists received their signature welcoming by the townspeople of Rainelle, Local recording artist Double Standard performed at Deb�s Party Club on Rt. 60. Let me say that for these well-known motorcycling Vietnam Veterans and friends of Veterans Double Standard was a very appropriate swan song on the evening of Thursday, May 27. Let me tell ya about these guys. Even if you don�t dance � heck � even if you don�t jiggle, sway, bounce, or tap because your getup and go got up and went, you�ve no choice but to come back to life around Double Standard. A super tight and balanced four-man band old enough to play the kind of rock 'n' roll that "never forgets," but definitely not too old to play it, feel it, and make the audience feel it as well! And I thought my days of hair dancing were over. They played just about every song we Appalachian Hillhippy Girls like to sing along to. They broke out my favorites from Lynard Skynard, Eagles, Kiss, and a slew of awesome originals. They are funky, diverse, ornery, talented, funny and � most of all � fun. Double Standard has a current CD out with originals (email them and ask for it) and their next release is already in the works for next year. You can hear them on popular radio stations such as Mix 104, 98 Rock, Country 101 and more. These southern rockers really do put on a show each in their own special way. At Deb�s, they knocked �em out right off the bat with a hard-hitting original tune entitled "America." Lead guitarist Smoking Joe Dew starts off with a solo Star Spangled Banner riff on electric. By the time the song ended, all the leather-clad patriots were whooping for the US of A. With his enviably clean guitar playing, it is not incredulous that this guy has shared the stage with the likes of the Kentucky Headhunters, jackal, and more. Originally from South Carolina, Joe�s influences are Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, Steve Morse, and Tuck Andress. Joe reminded me of a wolf in sheep�s clothing, standing quietly on the stage, poised, fingers barely moving but lots of booming and perfect- pitch movements coming from this quiet dark stranger type. The lead vocalist, Andy Burke of Alderson, WV, had a style akin to Alice Cooper, Elton John, or Boston, and was no stranger to crowd-pleasing. He mingled and conversed generously with his grateful and approving listeners. His performance was designed to surely make the audience feel the band�s groove when he pressed his back to the wall, a sinful pleasure look on his face, breaking it way, way down, cordless mike in both hands like he�s about to French kiss a lover. But I must say, he handled his squealing bobbing blondies with grace and control! It was a very intense show which was meant to be half the fun. And on top of it all, what a sweet and sincere family-loving guy at heart! (Sorry, Andy, cat�s out of the bag.) He�s a real nice guy who loves his wife and kid and makes it obvious. Founder of the group, drummer Mike Ailstock, was one of the most balanced rock 'n' roll drummers I have ever heard. I can pay the highest compliment to Mike by saying he does not play like he�s competing for attention and he doesn�t throw the whole kitten caboodle out of whack. Most drum performances I have seen are reminiscent of when I used to give my three-year-old son wooden spoons and big aluminum pots to complete his backup band with his bears and Sesame Street records. Mike attacked his drums confidently and powerfully, but with control and finesse. In a style similar to Van Halen, Kiss or Pink Floyd, he was super impressive and mysterious, yet stable musician and long- haired eye-candy to boot. It�s known that in places where they allow him, he does an astonishing stage show with his 22-piece drum set fully engulfed in flames. (I didn�t see that, but I�ll be certain not to forget my weenies and marshmallows next time.) Speaking of eye candy and long hair, Keith Dunnaway was truly a mega-talented, stabilizing factor for the group, the glue that the other musicians could lean on. He�s from Hot Springs-God�knows-where�and- how-long-they�ve-lived-there-Virginia and he�s not all show when it comes to his serious bass thumping. To meet this subtle sweetie, you�d never know the eruptive emotion and energy that lay dormant inside him, obviously not withholding any of it from his performance. Keith�s music-making was moving and volatile, driving the band forward like a steady and heavy heart beat. When he introduced songs, he spoke warmly and sincerely to the audience. Go figure. One minute he was boyish, and the next he was an absolute jackhammer with undeviating rhythm. To learn more about recording artist Double Standard and for booking information, email them at recordingartistdouble [email protected] |
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| Photo by Rebecca Hanson Published with Permission of Mountain Messenger Media This Review was Published on June 12 .2004 in The News Paper Mountain Messenger |
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